A metallic wave frozen in time on the banks of the Clyde, housing the soul of Glasgow’s industrial past.
The Riverside Museum (replacing the preceding Glasgow Museum of Transport) is a museum in the Partick area of Glasgow, Scotland, housed in a building designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, with its River Clyde frontage at the new Pointhouse Quay. It forms part of the Glasgow Harbour regeneration project. The building opened in June 2011, winning the 2013 European Museum of the Year Award. It houses many exhibits of national and international importance. The Govan–Partick Bridge, which provides a pedestrian and cycle path link from the museum across the Clyde to Govan, opened in 2024.
Featured in Zaha Hadid's definitive monograph, Zaha Hadid. Complete Works 1979–Today. 45th Ed.
Visitor Guide
Don't just look at the cars; look at how the roof pleats seamlessly transition into the walls at the north and south ends.
The southern glass facade from the Govan-Partick Bridge at blue hour, when the interior glow reveals the lime-green skeleton.
Free admission. Open daily (usually 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM). Closed on certain holidays.
The roof geometry is so complex that the zinc panels were individually numbered to ensure they fit the 'pleats' of the 36-meter high structure.
2-3 hours
Design & Structure
Sectional extrusion along a curved path; parametric optimization of the pleated roof for column-free exhibit space.
24,000 square meters of pre-weathered zinc cladding; high-transparency glass for the river-facing facades.
The pleated roof acts as a structural shell, spanning the entire gallery width without intermediate supports.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Riverside Museum — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
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Ordrupgaard
Port Authority Building (Antwerp)
Contemporary Arts Center
Bergisel Ski Jump
Phaeno Science Center
King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center
Nearby in Glasgow City
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Riverside Museum?+
Riverside Museum was designed by Zaha Hadid and completed in 2011. It is located in Glasgow City, United Kingdom.
Where is Riverside Museum located?+
Riverside Museum is located in Glasgow City, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 55.8651°, -4.3064°.
When was Riverside Museum built?+
Riverside Museum was completed in 2011. It was designed by Zaha Hadid.
Can I visit Riverside Museum?+
Riverside Museum is a real building in Glasgow City that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.